Something will have to give tonight when a pair of unbeaten football teams meet at Belleville Clearfork.
The Jonathan Alder Pioneers and the Clearfork Colts will both take 2-0 records into the contest.
Coach Brett Glass’ Alder squad will have to contend with a multiple-look offense.
“They will line up with four or five-wide (receivers), but we’ve also seen some tight end formations,” said Glass. “They still want to run the football about 70 percent of the time.”
The Colts have alternated quarterbacks Jared Schaefer and Blake Dinsmore.
“They both play about the same amount of time and they are both more runners than passers,” said Glass.
Trevon Trammell is Clearfork’s starting tailback, while Bryce Lyon is a key receiver for when the Colts decided to go to the air.
The Pioneers, at times, had difficulty with Marion Harding’s speed last week.
The JA defense will see that same type of test this week.
“Actually, they have better speed than Harding,” said Glass. “We have to make sure we tackle better in space. That’s going to be even more important this week.”
The Colts will use both five and four-man defensive fronts.
“There is not a big difference between their fronts,” said Glass. “They have a big line that takes up blockers. That allows their linebackers and defensive backs to run free and make tackles.
“They pursue the ball very well with their team speed.”
Glass said the Pioneers must be more consistent on offense than they were against Harding. JA had to punt numerous times when Harding’s defense shut down the Pioneers.
“On a lot of plays, we were one block or assignment away from making a big play against Harding,” said Glass. “At times, we just didn’t get into our offense.
“Those mistakes are correctible,” he said. “We just have to stay balanced and take what Clearfork gives us. If they pack the middle, we have to get the ball to the perimeter.
“We also have to handle the adversity of playing on the road (for the first time this season) and win the turnover battle.”